NSAID Safety: Understand Risks, Alternatives, and How to Use Them Wisely

When you reach for ibuprofen, naproxen, or aspirin to ease a headache, sore muscles, or joint pain, you’re using a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, a class of medications that reduce pain, fever, and inflammation by blocking enzymes that cause swelling. Also known as NSAIDs, these drugs are among the most commonly used medications worldwide—but they’re not harmless, even at over-the-counter doses. Many people think because they’re available without a prescription, they’re safe for daily use. That’s a dangerous assumption.

NSAIDs can quietly damage your stomach lining, the protective barrier that shields your digestive tract from acid, leading to ulcers, bleeding, or even perforation. The risk grows with age, with long-term use, or if you’re also taking blood thinners or steroids. Your kidneys, organs that filter waste and regulate fluid balance aren’t safe either—NSAIDs reduce blood flow to them, which can cause acute kidney injury, especially if you’re dehydrated, have heart failure, or already have chronic kidney disease. And then there’s the cardiovascular risk, the hidden danger of increased blood pressure and heart attack or stroke, particularly with prolonged use of certain NSAIDs like diclofenac. These aren’t rare side effects. They’re well-documented, and they happen to people who thought they were just taking a quick fix.

Not all NSAIDs are the same. Aspirin has a unique effect on blood clotting, making it useful for heart protection in some cases—but it’s still risky for your stomach. Naproxen may be safer for your heart than ibuprofen, but both can hurt your kidneys if used too often. The real issue isn’t just the drug—it’s how often you use it, what else you’re taking, and whether you have underlying health conditions. Many people don’t realize that taking two NSAIDs at once—even one prescription and one OTC—doubles the risk. And if you’re on blood pressure meds, diuretics, or antidepressants, the interactions can be serious.

What can you do? Start by asking yourself: Do I really need this every day? Could a heat pack, physical therapy, or acetaminophen work instead? If you’re using NSAIDs regularly, talk to your pharmacist. They can check your full medication list, spot hidden risks, and suggest safer alternatives like topical creams or physical approaches. You don’t have to suffer—but you also don’t have to risk your stomach, kidneys, or heart just to feel a little better today.

Below, you’ll find real-world guides on how NSAIDs interact with other drugs, who’s most at risk, and what to do when pain won’t go away without them. These aren’t theoretical warnings—they’re stories from people who learned the hard way, and the practical steps they took to stay safe.